Homicides

A lot of people get killed in Spenser's books. Most of his cases involve a homicide somewhere along the line. Moreover, Spenser leads a dangerous life, often provoking (intentionally or unintentionally) organized crime figures throughout Boston. He survives in large part because he is usually quicker, smarter, and more capable than the many people sent to kill him. (That is, he kills them back first.)

This page is primarily the work of original B&B contributor Dennis Tallett, with supplemental information from Iain Campbell and Darren Ivey. Dennis passed away by 2007. Bob Ames said in his original site "Thanks again Dennis; those of us who knew you can count ourselves lucky. Rest in peace."

As imported from the B&B archive, this list covers the first 32 Spenser books (through Cold Service). Eventually we'll try to finish the list with the rest of Parker's books.

During the SPENSER series there are details of 155 homicides, 1 suicide, and the shooting of a black Labrador (there were several more but as they happened "off screen" there is no way to count them - Bob)

Of the 155 homicides there were:

124 shootings
1 hanging
1 was drowned in a bathtub
2 were battered to death
3 were strangled
3 necks were broken
1 thrown from a window
3 were blown up
2 hit by a car
1 hit with a chair
3 killed by knife
1 by unknown method

Of the 124 shootings

37 were shot by Spenser.
19 were shot by Hawk.

In the following breakdown P/B is paperback edition, H/C is Hardcover edition References are chapter/page no. --

The Godwulf Manuscript P/B

Dennis Powell - Shot by a small, white-handled gun. Joe Broz took care of it. 3/29
Cathy Connelly - drowned, face down in the bathtub by the Haydens. 15/34
Albert J. Brooks, a muscle for Joe Broz, shot by Spenser in a shootout. 19/163/164,20/171
Sully Roselli, a gofer for Joe Broz, shot by Spenser in a shootout. 19/163/164,20/171
Judy Hayden takes six bullets from Joe Broz's strong arm. 24/196
Phil, Joe Broz's strong arm, throttled by Spenser. 24/194

God Save The Child P/B

Earl Maguire - a broken neck by Vic Harroway. 14/112
Dr. Ray Croft - hanged with help of Chief Trask. 26/199

Mortal Stakes. P/B

Frank Doerr, loan shark, and Wally Hogg, his bodyguard, both shot by Spenser. 25/276

Promised Land. P/B

Fitzgerald, 'Fitz', the bank guard shot during a heist by Jane, strong arm to sexist militant, Rose Alexander. 19/141

The Judas Goat. P/B

Mrs. Dixon and two daughters, blown up in London. 1/8
Two assassins are shot by Spenser in his London hotel room. 7/52
Fritz, a terrorist. Hawk blows his head off. 16/109
Big Nose, a terrorist, gets a bullet in the face from terrorist Hans. 16/109
Hans is shot by Hawk. 16/109
Antone and Milo, shot as a sacrifice by their leader, Paul with Zachary. 18/24, 19/134
Paul, the terrorist leader, shot by his girlfriend, Kathie Caldwell. 29/144

Looking For Rachel Wallace. P/B

Lawrence English, kidnapper, bigot. A bullet from Spenser in the forehead. 29/202
Mingo Mulready, his strongarm. From Spenser, a bullet under the right eye. 29/202

Early Autumn. P/B

Harry Cotton, a major league crook. A shot in the forehead from Hawk. 31/210

A Savage Place. P/B

Mickey Rafferty, stuntman. Three in the chest by the mob. 16/104
Bubba, a strong arm. Two shots from Spenser. 16/105
Sam Felton, movie producer, shot and dumped by Franco Montenegro. 18/114
Franco Montenegro, collector, shot in the forehead by Little Joe and Rollie Sims. 29/178/181
Candy Sloan, TV reporter, takes three bullets from Peter Brewster and Rollie Sims. 29/181

Ceremony. P/B

A black Labrador, shot while in Susan's care. Probably by Tony Marcus' men. 24/153

The Widening Gyre. P/B

Roger Francona, a Broz strongarm, shot by Spenser under the right eye. 29/164
Eddie DiBernardi, a strong arm. In the chest by Spenser. 29/164

Valediction. P/B

Fat Willie Vance and three other shooters, mown down by Spenser. 34/206
Bullard Winston, church leader and drug runner; two shots from Tommy Banks. 43/254
Mickey Paultz, developer, heroin trader. Two shots in the head from Sherry Spellman. 43/255
Tommy Banks, dance director, one in the chest from Spenser. 43/254
Sherry Spellman, not as innocent as she seemed. Spenser broke her neck after she shot him twice. 43/256

A Catskill Eagle. P/B

Emmett Colder, Costigan's security consultant, killed with a chair by Hawk. 1/4
Leo, a pimp, shot by Spenser. 10/60
Allie, the pimp's bodyguard, shot by Hawk, 10/60
Costigan guard at the Keep, neck broken by Hawk. 12/78
Costigan guard, shot 13/94 (Hawk shot him with a .44 Magnum-it seems a safe bet)
Costigan guard at the Lodge, shot with rifle by Hawk.18/127
Warren, a Costigan bodyguard, in the forehead by Hawk. 19/132
Two other Costigan men, shot with rifle by Hawk. 19/133
Costigan goon, Hawk ran him down. 26/188
Russ Costigan’s bodyguard, shot 37/252 (Hawk shot this guy, leaving a blood smear on the van, and then left him on the roadside in the middle of nowhere
Warren, a bodyguard, shot in the forehead by Hawk. 19/132
Chinese hit man, gut-shot by Spenser. 42/293 (Richie Loo on p. 297 indicated that the hit man was probably dead)
Jerry Costigan, crook, shot in the forehead by Spenser. 53/356

Taming A Sea-Horse. P/B

Ginger Buckey, a New York hooker, shot by her pimp, Rambeaux. 22/193
Robert Rambeaux, pimp, killed by Jacky Wax. 26/227

Pale Kings and Princes. P/B

Eric Valdez, reporter, shot and castrated by Chief Rogers (unproven). 1/1
Bailey Rogers, police chief, shot twice in the head by Felipe Esteva. 14/128
Brett Rogers, his son, shot by Esteva. 22/186
Felipe Esteva, drug distributor, shot by Spenser. 35/292
Felice, his strong arm, shot by Spenser. 35/291
Cesar, another strong arm, shot by Hawk. 35/291
Capt. Henry and J.D. crooked cops shot be State Trooper Lundquist. 35/293

Crimson Joy. P/B

Royette Chambers, hooker. 8/78
Dolores Taylor, exotic dancer. 8/78
Chantelle, singer. 3/24
Emmeline Washburn, school teacher. 8/73
An unamed cocktail waitress. 1/8,8/78
All African-American, shot between the thighs by Gordon Felton, security guard.
Gordon Felton hung himself using his shirt in the jail cell. 33/292

Playmates. P/B

Baseball Cap and Blackbeard, Deegan's strong arms, shot by Spenser and Hawk. 20/135
Danny Davis, team player, points shaver, shot twice by a Bobby Deegan shooter. 31/220
Two shooters, Deegan's men and Danny Davis' killers, shot by Hawk. 31/220

Stardust. P/B

Babe Loftus, stunt double, shot in the back by William Zabriskie, Jill Joyce's father. 19/143
Wilfrid Pomeroy, Jill Joyce's first husband. A suicide. 32/221
William Zabriskie, shot through the heart. 38/256

Pastime. H/C

One strongarm, Gerry Broz's, in the chest by Spenser. 23/149
One strongarm, Gerry Broz's, shot with eighth round. 23/149-150 (Spenser said he nailed him)

Double Deuce. H/C

Devona Jefferson and baby Crystal. 12 shots from a gang. Prolog/11
Tallboy, shot by Billy. 34/161

Paper Doll. P/B

Olivia Nelson, battered with a framing hammer by Jefferson, Jack Nelson's servant. 1/3, 2/7

Walking Shadow. P/B

Craig Samson, actor shot on stage by Lonnie Wu. 4/21
Lonnie Wu, gang co-ordinator, battered to death by Police Chief DeSpain. 47/254
DeSpain, police chief. Four shots from Vinnie Morris. 51/276

Thin Air. H/C

Luis Deleon, barrio chief, shot in the back by rival gang chief, Freddie Santiago. 42/289
Ramon Gonzalez, Deleon's shooter, shot by Chollo. 42/284

Chance. H/C

Two Russian immigrants, shot by Spenser. 42/246
Shirley Ventura, the crook's daughter, raped, strangled by Marty Anaheim. 51/300
Tarone Jessup, imprisoned Tony Marcus' caretaker, probably killed by the Russians. 52/304
Two Russian immigrants, muscling in, shot probably by Tony Marcus' gang. 52/304

Small Vices. H/C

Melissa Henderson, student. Accidentally strangled by Clint Stapleton. 53/294
Detective Tommy Miller, state detective, shot by Rugar, the Gray Man. 53/298

Sudden Mischief. H/C

Cony Brown, feelance shooter and contract man, shot by Brad Sterling. 27/156, 48/279
Carla Quagliozzi, Sterling's ex-wife, counselor to ex-cons, probably shot by Brad Sterling. 48/280

Hush Money. H/C

Prentice Lamont, gay activist student, out through a window probably by Horn Rims,

Milo Quant's security strong arm. 54/288

Hugger Mugger. H/C

Walter Clive, stable owner, shot by his daughter, Penny Clive/Jon Delroy. 18/97, 58/306
One gunman, John Delroy’s, shot in middle of the mass. 56/293-294 (Spenser said there was nothing he could do about the guy shot and being where they were, 20 miles out of Lamarr, he likely bled out before he saw medical attention.)

Potshot. H/C

Steve Buckman, football coach, three shots, by his wife Mary Lou or her shooter. 1/9,64/294
Four of the Preacher’s men, shot with rifle by Spenser. 60/275, 276, 277

(the number of dead in the shootout is not given so I can't count them, but if Spenser got four by himself the total taken by his posse had to be impressive - Bob)

Mark Ratcliff, film maker, Buckman's best friend shot by Mary Lou or her shooter. 64/294
Jerome Jefferson, surfer, slugger. Probably shot by Morris Tannebaum. 33/158

Widow's Walk. H/C

Nathan Smith, banker, shot in the head on orders from Shawcross. 1/3
Kevin McGonigle, hired thug, shot once under the chin by Spenser. 23/150
Amy Peters, VP at Pequod Savings and Loan, shot in head on orders from Shawcross. 27/122
Brinkman "Brink" Tyler, financial advisor, hit by a car on orders from Shawcross 36/162
Jack DeRosa, criminal, shot many times by Shawcross. 39/175
Margaret McDermott, girlfriend of DeRosa, shared his fate. 39/175
Felton Shawcross, head bad guy, shot four times by Spenser. 61/289

Back Story. H/C

A shooter, working for Sonny, shot by Hawk 34/150
A shooter, working for Sonny, shot by Spenser 34/150
Two shooters, working for Sonny, shot by Spenser 55/253
Harvey, Sonny's head enforcer, shot by Spenser 55/255

Bad Business. H/C

Trenton Rowley, CFO at Kinergy, shot three times by Lance Devaney 11/48
Steve Gavin, head of security at Kinergy, one shot through the mouth by Lance Devaney 38/179

Cold Service. H/C

Luther Gillespie, his wife, and two children, shot by the Ukranian mob. 1/2.
A tavern owner, throat sliced by the Ukranian mob. 3/10.
Bohdan Dziubakevych, shanked in jail for squealing on the mob. 8/37.
Husak, lawyer for the mob, decapitated in his office. 20/103.
Danylko Levkovych, shot in the forehead by Hawk. 29/143.
Fadeyushka Badyrka, shot in the forehead by Hawk. 43/227.
Lyaksandro Prohorovych, shot under the left eye by Hawk. 51/262.
Vanko Tsyklins'kyj, shot by Hawk. 52/263.
"Something like ten people killed" in City Hall during the raid by Tony Marcus's people. 53/268.
Boots Podolak, killed in an unspecified manner by Hawk. 61/303.

Surrogate. Short story, no page numbers.

Richie Hanson, raped Brenda Loring twice for Northrop May. Shot by Brenda.
Northrop May, Brenda's ex. Shot by Brenda.

People killed by Spenser[]

His 37 shootings, 1 strangulation, and 1 broken neck.

The Godwulf Manuscript. P/B

Albert J. Brooks, a muscle for Joe Broz, in the chest. 19/163/164,20/171
Sully Roselli, a gofer for Joe Broz, in the chest. 19/163/164,20/171
Phil, Joe Broz's strong arm, throttled. 24/194

Mortal Stakes. P/B

Frank Doerr, loan shark and Wally Hogg, his bodyguard. 25/276

The Judas Goat. P/B

Two assassins in his London hotel room. 7/52

Looking For Rachel Wallace. P/B

Lawrence English, Kidnapper, bigot. A bullet in the forehead. 29/202
Mingo Mulready, his strongarm. A bullet under the right eye. 29/202

A Savage Place. P/B

Bubba, a mob strongarm. Two shots. 16/105

The Widening Gyre. P/B

Roger Francona, a Broz strongarm, shot under the right eye. 29/164
Eddie DiBernardi, a strongarm. In the chest. 29/164

Valediction. P/B

Fat Willie Vance & three of his shooters, mown down. 34/206
Tommy Banks, dance director, one in the chest. 43/254
Sherry Spellman, her neck broken after she shot him twice. 43/256

A Catskill Eagle. P/B

Leo, a pimp, shot. 10/60
Warren, a Costigan bodyguard, in the forehead. 19/132
Chinese hitman, gut-shot. 42/293 (Richie Loo on p. 297 indicated that the hit man was probably dead)
Jerry Costigan, arms dealer, trucking, air freight, in the forehead. 53/356

Pale Kings and Princes. P/B

Felipe Esteva, drug distributor. Shot. 35/292
Felice, his strongarm. Shot. 35/291

Playmates. P/B

Baseball Cap, Bobby Deegan's strongarm, shot. 20/135

Pastime. H/C

One strongarm, Gerry Broz's, in the chest. 23/149
One strongarm, Gerry Broz's, shot with eighth round. 23/149-150 (Spenser said he nailed him)

Chance P/B

Two Russian immigrants, in the chest 42/256

Hugger Mugger. H/C

One gunman, John Delroy’s, shot in middle of the mass. 56/293-294 (Spenser said there was nothing he could do about the guy shot and being where they were, 20 miles out of Lamarr, he likely bled out before he saw medical attention.)

Potshot. H/C

Four of the Preacher’s men, shot with rifle. 60/275, 276, 277

Widow's Walk H/C

Kevin McGonigle, hired thug, shot once under the chin. 23/150
Felton Shawcross, head bad guy, shot four times. 61/289

Back Story. H/C

A shooter, working for Sonny, shot. 34/150
Two shooters, working for Sonny, shot. 55/253
Harvey, Sonny's head enforcer, shot. 55/255

People killed by Hawk[]

19 shootings, 1 hit with a chair, 1 broken neck, 1 hit but a car, one unknown method, and a number of probables (Hawk being who and what he is-namely a major league badass-doesn’t wound on purpose and likely kills most everybody he shoots)

The Judas Goat. P/B

Fritz, a terrorist. Hawk blows his head off. 16/109
Hans, a terrorist, shot. 16/109

Early Autumn. P/B

Harry Cotton, a major league crook, in the forehead. 31/210

A Catskill Eagle.P/B

Emmett Colder, Costigan's security consultant, hit him with a chair. 1/4
Allie, Leo the pimp's bodyguard, shot. 10/60
Costigan guard at the Keep, neck broken 12/78
Costigan guard, shot 13/94 (Hawk shot him with a .44 Magnum-it seems a safe bet)
Costigan guard at the Lodge, shot with rifle 18/127
Warren, a Costigan bodyguard, in the forehead. 19/132
Two other Costigan men, shot with rifle. 19/133
Costigan goon, ran him over with a car. 26/188
Russ Costigan’s bodyguard, shot 37/252 (Hawk shot this guy, leaving a blood smear on the van, and then left him on the roadside in the middle of nowhere.)
Pale Kings and Princes. P/B
Cesar, an Esteva strongarm. 35/291

Playmates. P/B

Blackbeard a Bobby Deegan strongarm, shot. 20/135
Two shooters, Bobby Deegan's men, Danny Davis' killers, shot. 31/220

Back Story. H/C

A shooter, working for Sonny, shot. 34/150

Cold Service. H/C

Danylko Levkovych, shot in the forehead. 29/143.
Fadeyushka Badyrka, shot in the forehead. 43/227.
Lyaksandro Prohorovych, shot under the left eye. 51/262.
Vanko Tsyklins'kyj, shot. 52/263.
Boots Podolak, killed in an unspecified manner, but not shot. 61/303.